Generals attack EU defence force

ELEVEN British and French generals and admirals give warning today that plans for a Euro Army would not only damage the armed forces of both countries but could endanger world stability.

In a letter to The Telegraph, they describe the Euro Army as "a paper tiger", created by federalist politicians "playing at armchair generals", that would damage British and French national security. They also complain, after revelations about the damage done to the Royal Navy by Treasury cuts, at their governments' "penny-pinching cutbacks in procurement and in force strength".

All 11 members of the ad hoc military alliance admit that France's views on the future of Nato are incompatible with those of Britain. France withdrew from Nato's integrated military structure in 1967 and successive French governments have adopted an anti-American stance that is in complete contrast to the close ties between Britain and the US.

The former military chiefs also say that by joining other EU nations, who are weaker militarily, to form a Euro Army, Britain and France would dilute their own combat capabilities. They are the strongest military powers in the EU. Not only are they the driving forces behind the Euro Army, they are the largest contributors.

The coalition of senior officers includes Admiral of the Fleet Lord Hill Norton, a former chairman of the Military Committee of Nato and Gen Sir John Akehurst, once Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.

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The representation on the French side is just as strong and is led by Gen Pierre-Marie Gallois, the "father" of the French independent nuclear deterrent doctrine. This combined force also attacks Britain and France for their willingness to deploy their reduced and underfunded forces to an ever-increasing number of peacekeeping missions.

"While close co-operation should quite rightly take place, common cause does not mean that we should dilute our forces in a common army, navy or air force," they say. "We wish to voice our concerns at the manner in which the ability of our nations to protect our vital interests is being whittled away."

Lord Robertson, Nato Secretary-General, dismissed criticism of the European Defence Initiative yesterday. Speaking in London, he said that all EU countries needed to spend more on defence.

He said: "Sufficient funds must be found, here in the UK and in European countries. We simply cannot afford to undermine the Transatlantic security relationship by dragging our feet on defence investment."